Effective Fervent Prayer
James 5:16 - The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
We have the assurance that all our prayers will be answered. James gives us an indication of what fervent effective prayers can produce.
James 5:17 - “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” God has provided us with a supernatural resource that can effectively and positively shape our future and destiny.
1. Be persistent
Luke 18:1-8 - “And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying,” Avenge me of my adversary." And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself,”
Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though He bear long with them?”
2. Forgive others
Mark 11:25 - “And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Pray without ceasing
1 Thessalonians5:17 - “Pray without ceasing.”
3. Pray in tongues
1 Corinthians 14:2 - “But he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no-one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit.”
4. Pray the Word
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Prayer that brings results must be based on the Word of God. God’s Word is a seed that produces a harvest when sown.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Isaiah 55:11 -So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
5. Prayers of confession
Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
James 5:16 - Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16- Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Confession breaks the power of the devil.
Follow these steps:
- Recognize and put the sin into words
- Repent and turn away from that sin
- Renounce any level of demonic activity that has occurred as a result of the sin
- Ask to be forgiven
6. Ask
1 John 5:14 - Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
James 4:3 - Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
7. Be specific
Philippians 4:6;19 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Many people do not have their prayers answered because they do not know what they want. Over a period of time believers may change their prayer requests. God is not a God of confusion.
8. Pray in the name of Jesus
John 14:13-14 - And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
9. Pray in faith
Mark 11:22-24 - So Jesus answered and said to them,” Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
10. Pray according to God’s will
Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We must align our will with the will of God. God knows what is best for us. Through prayer we learn to discern God’s will and submit to it.
11. Pray with expectation
Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.
Psalm 5:3 - My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You. And I will look up.
Always pray with expectation or else there is no point in praying at all. There are many people who pray without having any expectation of receiving.
12. Be obedient
1 John 3:21-22 - Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.
13. Live a life of holiness
1 Peter 1:16 - Be holy, for I am holy.
Holiness is important to God and should be to us.
